1. Canada Enters the War

2. “Ready, Aye, Ready” Why did Canada declare war?
Britain declares war, and controls Canada’s foreign policy, so Canada was at war (not Prime Minister Borden’s decision)
English speaking Canada was eager to support the motherland
Laurier stated Canadians were “ready, aye, ready” to follow Britain
30, 000 Canadians volunteer in the first month

3. Volunteers believe war will be over by Christmas
See war as an adventure (underestimate new weapons)
Patriotic connection to Britain
Sam Hughes : in charge of training and supplying troops
Training center in Valcartier Quebec
Minimal basic training, then sent to England
Newfoundland troops under own unit
Why did Canadians volunteer?
How did Canada mobilize?

4. How did war affect Canadian identity?
Soldiers in a unit develop a Canadian National identity, instead of regional identities
Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) was not integrated into British forces as expected - increased Canadian national identity
Shell committee – under Sam Hughes “Ministry of Militia” – supply to Britain
Miss-managed: way behind in production, poor quality shells (kill gun crews), gave contracts to friends
Shoes that fell apart in rain
Ross Rifle: Jammed in rapid fire
Sam Hughs will be dismissed in 1916
How did war affect Canadian identity?
What is the Ministry of Militia?
What problems occurred?

5. The Ross Rifle

6. PM Borden introduces “War Measures Act”
Gave Government authority to do anything necessary “for the security, defence, peace, order ,and welfare of Canada”
Meaning: gov. controls transportation, trade, manufacturing, agriculture, etc.
Gov. could strip civil liberties (ex. Censor mail, detained without charges, imprisoned if suspected, German immigrants given identity cards, held in internment camps)
What is the War Measures Act?

7. Canadian battles in WWI

8. Battle of the Somme

9. The Second Battle of Ypres

10. Vimy Ridge – 1916 (Heritage Minute)

11. Passchendaele – clip from movie